First trip to DL since 1996....dining suggestions?

[azcavalier]

We go to WDW every year, and have eaten at the majority of the TS restaurants there. We almost always get the dining plan, and love to experience the restaurants.

We're now saving up to go to DL next January for four days, and as mentioned in the title, we have been there since long before California Adventure & associated hotels were built.

So, is there a DL equivalent to the WDW dining plan? What restaurants are there at DL, and what is recommended?

[BrerGnat]

Disneyland has a dining plan, but it's totally bizarre. I don't recommend it at ALL! You prepay for vouchers which you then turn in for meals. Not worth doing. It provides a convenience for huge groups who are travelling, but that's about it.

On the other hand, Disneyland Resort has some excellent dining options. Overall, the Counter Service food found at DLR is far superior to that found at WDW. There is more variety and the quality of the food is higher.

In addition, Downtown Disney and the resort hotels offer lots of excellent dining options.

Where will you be staying? Have you gotten that far in your planning yet?

What kind of food do you like? How often do you plan a TS meal vs. CS meal?

[azcavalier]

Disneyland has a dining plan, but it's totally bizarre. I don't recommend it at ALL! You prepay for vouchers which you then turn in for meals. Not worth doing. It provides a convenience for huge groups who are travelling, but that's about it.

On the other hand, Disneyland Resort has some excellent dining options. Overall, the Counter Service food found at DLR is far superior to that found at WDW. There is more variety and the quality of the food is higher.

In addition, Downtown Disney and the resort hotels offer lots of excellent dining options.

Great info. Thanks!


Where will you be staying? Have you gotten that far in your planning yet?

Nope, but we want to stay on-site. We have five in our family, though....I haven't even looked to see what the three on-site hotels are like.


What kind of food do you like? How often do you plan a TS meal vs. CS meal?

At WDW, we usually eat a breakfast in the room, a QS for lunch, and a TS for dinner. We will go with a TS for breakfast sometimes, if there is a good character breakfast. That seems to work for us pretty well.

[Disney4us2]

Stay away from the dining plan. Like Natalie said you get vouchers. If your meal/snack is under the amount of the voucher, you do not get any change back. If your amount is over... you pay OOP.


There are a few character meals. Ariels Grotto with the princesses at DCA. Minnie and friends breakfast in Disneyland. Surf's up breakfast at PPH Micky and friends. Goofy's Kitchen at the DLH. Finally (our favorite) is Storyteller's Cafe at the GCH with Disney critters.

Table services are both at DL and DCA, the Disney hotels and DTD. I haven't been to any of the DTD restaurants with the exception of the Rainforest Cafe. The newest one at DCA has not opened yet, which is the Carthay Circle Theater.

There are a lot of c/s at both DCA and DL. Jolly Holiday is now one of our favorites. At DCA we like Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta and the Pacific Wharf Cafe. We mostly eat at Whitewater Snacks at the GCH. It is less crowded and gets us out of the parks for a bit.

Although they have not started on the renovation yet, The Earl of Sandwich is supposed to open in DTD.

Hope this helps with your planning

[Carol]

What restaurants are there at DL, and what is recommended?
I highly recommend;

Carnation Cafe
Ralph Brennan's in Downtown Disney
Big Thunder BBQ
Steakhouse 55
Wine Country Trattoria
PCH Grill

If you are looking for some counter-service the Wharf at California Adventure offers great options.

[NewDVCowner]

If you are looking for some counter-service the Wharf at California Adventure offers great options.

I agree that the Wharf has some great options. If you have your heart set on a bread bowl, though, make sure you get there right when it opens. Otherwise you'll be standing in line for a good 45 minutes.

[dtootsie42]

The few times we have gone to Disneyland we have eaten at Steakhouse 55 and it has become a family favorite. It is now a must do on every trip!

[belori]

I was just there in November and 2 years ago in October. These are some of our favourites (and had great service to boot)

Disneyland Park:
Blue Bayou (dine-in, reservations a must)
Cafe Orleans (outside patio/dine-in)
Blue Thunder Ranch BBQ (outside dining but the BBQ ribs and chicken are de-lish!)

California Park:
Wine Country Tattoria (yummy Italian type food)

Character Meals:
Ariel's Grotto (California Park) - food was good
Goofy's Kitchen (Disneyland Hotel) - buffet had a good selection, food very fresh and you've got to try PB&J pizza...yum

Downtown Disney:
Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria
Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen